Shortlist gap check
Paste product names and criteria and see whether the list is long enough, unique, and free of empty praise.
What does the shortlist gap check look for?
It checks that you have at least three products and three criteria, that names are not repeated, and that a criterion is not just “best” or “leading.” It does not judge whether the products are good.
Pass · At least three products
3 names.
Pass · At least three criteria
3 criteria.
Pass · No duplicate products
Product names are unique.
Pass · No duplicate criteria
Criteria are unique.
Pass · Criteria are decisions, not praise
No short criterion is only a compliment.
How to use it
Put one product per line and one criterion per line.
Rewrite any criterion the check calls praise. Praise does not separate options.
If you have two products, write a versus page instead of padding a third name.
A pass means the shape of the list can hold a decision. You still have to write the because for each name.
Questions
Why three and three?
Two products is a head-to-head. One criterion is a favorite. Three of each is the smallest set that can show a pattern.
Are words like “fast” banned?
The check flags short lines that are mostly compliments. “Time to first ticket” is fine. “Best and fast” is not a criterion.
Does order matter?
No. The check is about the set, not about a ranking.